Places of Prayer "...the whole earth has been created a place of worship, pure and clean." (Hadith of Muhammad (Peace be upon Him)) Prayers can be performed almost anywhere. Wherever Muslims have settled in large enough numbers, one of their first efforts has been to erect a place of prayer, often within or among their houses. These places, known as Masajid (Mosques) and Jamatkhanas, serve as focal points for the religious and social life of the Muslim community. The buildings may be great feats of architecture or simple temporary structures. And, if there is no mosque nearby a quiet place will serve. Functions of the Masjid and Jamatkhana may include education, counseling, conflict resolution, life-cycle celebrations, public communication, and the provision of welfare assistance. The types of rituals that occur also vary, reflecting a diversity of doctrinal views and devotional practices. Nonetheless, two standard rituals predominate - the daily prayer and the Friday gathering. In addition to being places where preaching takes place and where the community assembles, Masajid and Jamatkhanas are also places of instruction in religion and its application in life. On an elementary level this means learning by heart verses of the Qur'an (the words of God) and the Hadith (the words of Muhammad (Peace be upon Him)). Children are encouraged to experience these places of prayer as sites of religious inquiry, discussion and debate, as well as settings for communal worship and assembly. The photographs here illustrate some of the diversity of places of prayer in the lower mainland region of British Columbia, Canada.